I have been working on my project 85 CJ7.  I removed the stock driveline and replaced it with an AMC 360, TH400 w/adapted Dana 300.  Hopefully all good choices.  In the midst of the excitement and anticipation of having a V8 powered Jeep I never really considered the evil demon that is emissions testing.  The vehicle is registered in Cumberland County, PA.  I will be exempt from emissions testing this year because I have put less than 5k miles on it (which I will probably do every year).  However, I do not know what exactly I need to pass inspection (I realize the mechanic is often the deciding factor).  I have fender well headers, I know that I need cats and mufflers...easy enough.  The motor has an Edelbrock intake manifold with a Rochester (GM) carb on it.  Don't ask.  I want to replace it with the Edelbrock Thunder Series 650 Off-road carb.  The carb says it is not street legal...so what do I need to do?  It seems like in PA you cannot modify anything.  I know I just mentioned a lot but I could really use some tips, especially someone within PA.  PLEASE HELP!!!  

MUDB8!!!  I hope you are still checking in every now and then.  You've been a fountain of knowledge in the past!  

You're not going to want to hear this.

I have experiance getting engine conversions passed by both the state of Arizona and the state of Washington.

Generally, there are both federal and state emission standards. It used to be that there was more stringent California standards, and then the rest of the states fell under federal standards. But now there are a number of states, mostly in the NE that also use California standards.

The California standards and the way that California enforces the standrds are two different things.

Each state is allowed to come up with their own ways of enforcement, but not emission outputs.

Variances for enforcement are allowed by individual states, mostly having to do with high density vs. low density population areas. Also, collector and vintage cars have variances. But, "collector" or "vintage" is defined by individual state laws.

Now, here is what the federal law says but does not say how to enforce it.

An engine, of the same year or newer, with all its original polution control equipment, can be installed into a chassis of the same year or older. The engine must have been offered, for the year of the engine, for vehicles of the same gross vehicle weight as the chassis being installed into.

This law, being federal, is the minimum for all states. How this is enfoced is very different among the states.

Some states have visual inspections and sniff tests, and some only use sniff tests.

If PA has visual inspections you'll likely have a hard time passing. If you've abided by the federal law, it usually only takes educating the inspector as to what and where everything is located.

If you only need to pass a sniff test, that's much easier in your case. Sort of. Cam profile, carburetors, and ignition timing will keep your Jeep from passing a sniff test.

But, aftermarket fuel injection, with computer engine management, and a set of cats could get you to pass a sniff test for a 1985 CJ7.  

I know that my mechanic will pass it even though the motor is older than the frame is.  I wont have to get the actual emission testing for a while because I will be moving in the fall back to my home county that does not require a sniff test or anything like that.  Only a visual inspection.  What I am having a hard time with is I am not educated on what all smog equipment my Jeep came with.  I looked all over the net and had a hard time finding anything that was "dumbed down" enough for me.  Absolute worst case scenario is it becomes a trail jeep only and atleast then I dont have to worry about body work